Letters From a Photo Auction

Aaron Siskind (1903-1991)

"Lithuanian Store"
Silver print, 1957

The items in the upcoming auction, “The Vernacular Eye: Photographic Albums, Snapshots & Objects” are on view now at Swann Galleries until the sale on April 17. In addition to photos of spiritual apparitions, chain gangs, and early aviation, you’ll find albums of criminal mug shots, advertising photography and photo objects.

If you’ve ever considered collecting, say, photos about typography, this would be a great place to start.

Berenice Abbott (1898-1991)

"Jacob Heymann Butcher Shop, 345 Sixth Avenue"

Silver print, 1938

Walker Evans (1903-1975)

Bowery lunchroom, New York, New York.

Silver print, 1933-34

Georgia moonshiner from collection

of "Hooch" vernacular.

Silver prints, 1960s

William Klein (1928-)

"William Klein New York 54/55"

Portfolio of 12 silver prints, 1954-55

Yasushi Nagao (1930-2009)

Death of Inejiro Asanuma.

Silver print, 1960

This Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph shows the death of Asanuma, a Japanese politican and leader of the Socialist party. He was assassinated by an extremist nationalist while speaking in a televised political debate. His violent death was seen in graphic detail on national television, causing widespread public shock and outrage.

Ralph Steiner (1899-1986)

"Typewriter Keys"

Silver print, 1921-22

Nat Fein (1914-2000)


"Babe Bows Out"

Silver print, 1948

Photo album of window displays for Kleinhans Co., 

Buffalo, NY, 1919-26.

Post-Victorian vernacular photograph

Bromide print, circa 1910

No typography here, but I refuse to be constrained, even by my own self-selected topics.

A Nanosecond Made Visible

This clip of computer pioneer, Rear Admiral Grace Hopper visually explaining a nanosecond is so complete, that it needs no introduction, or summation. I have nothing to say except WATCH IT! 

I promise you a most satisfying data visualization experience.

via It's Okay To Be Smart

More Vintage Mardi Gras

Not quite as old as the photos of Mardi Gras 1903, the images here date mostly from the 1930s through 1970s. The parade goers in "Country Bumpkin" costumes (top) is a Louisiana WPA image. The “Indian” family is dated 1970. (Photos throughout are from the LOUISiana Digital Library.)

The moss twins and the two families above them are from

Mardi Gras 1967 and 1968. (photos: Art Kleiner)

Two 1971 photos from a Cajun Mardi Gras

in Mamou, Louisiana.
New Orleans Mardi Gras 1967. (photo: Art Kleiner)

Mardi Gras 1936

Rural Mardi Gras in Church Point Louisiana, 1972.    
New Orleans Mardi Gras during a presidentialelection year. Nixon v. McGovern, 1972.
Lafayette Louisiana, 1972

Church Point Mardi Gras, 1970s

New Orleans, 1967 (photo: Art Kleiner)

Ghosts of Mardi Gras Past

These photos of costumed revelers are from the Telling-Grandon scrapbook/diary, found at the LOUISiana Digital Library. It contains photographs and ephemera collected by an Evanston, Illinois group during a visit by train to the New Orleans Carnival of 1903.

The Telling-Grandon group